Alternating current induction motor



Feb. 26, 1963 M. N. MQORE ALTERNATING CURRENT INDUCTION MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D90. 22, 1959 Monfe N. Maare INVENTOR.

BY g W %w Feb. 26, 1963 M. N. MQORE ALTERNATING CURRENT INDUGTION MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 22, 1959 rare arest 3@Z'9,518 Patentecl Feb. 26, 1953 379,518 ALTERNA'ING CURRENT KNUCHN IWR Monte N. Moere, 2662 Leith St, Flint, Mick. Filerl Des. 22, 1959, Ser. IJo. 361,43 16 Claims. (Cl. 316-215) This nvention relates generally to eleotrical equipent and more particularly to alternating current indue ti011 motors and nevel means for controlling the speed and torque characteristics tl1ereof.

It is well appreeiated in the art that alternating current induction motors are extremely limited, with regard to a partieular unit, in speed and torque characteristics. Conventonal induction motors have rotatably mounted .rotors that may mou-nt armature windings such as that of a squrrel cage rotor and fxed stators concentrieally positioned thereabout for produong the motor field. The stators have distributed windngs wound thereon and out. of phase voltages are impressed on the windings to create rotating motor fields about the rotor. Currents are induced in the rotor bythe rotating magnetic ield and, by'Lenzs law, the armature currents finding themselves in the magnetie fieti tend to move across the field thereby imparting rotational motion to the rotor. The

rotatioual speed of the rotating field is dependent upon the number of poles and the frequency of the exeiting alternating current. The speed of the rotating field is called the synehronous speed and for example, a two-pole stator which is being excited by a voitage of 68 cycles per second, will rotate at 360 r.p.rn. The relationship between tl1e rotor speed and the speed of the rotating field is equal to l/S where S is equal to the slip. Of course, inasmuch as the induced currents are induced only when there is relative motion between the rotor and rotating field, the rotor speed may oever equal the rotational speed of the -rotatingfieldg that is, S may never be equal to 1 but may appnoach l as a limit.

Various attempts have been made to devise methods to overcome the inherent limitations of induction motors by utilizing mechanioal, hydraulic, electrical, and other auxiliary devices attached to the motor or in conjunction therewith. However, no means appear which may form a part of an induct-on motor allowing or controlling induction motor construction wherein the stator includes a first stator section and a second stator section with said irst stator section beng concentrically mounted in the motor housing between the rotor and the second stator section. Further, the construction provides for the first stator section to be mounted for rotation relative to the rotor and the second stator section. Further, air gaps are disposed between the stator sections and between the first stator section and the rotor. The opposed surfaces defining the air gaps are tapered and the first stator section and rotor are longitudinally movable so as to enable the gaps to be varied.

More specifically, it is an object of ths invention to provide novel motor control means which are typified by the three embodiments set forth below, each being particularly characterized by a rotatably mounted stator section.

These together with other objects and advantages which 'Will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter de scribed and claimed, reference beir1g had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through the induct0n motor comprising ths invention and illustrating particularly the nternal arrangement thereof;

FGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the motor construction;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention, partially broken away, illustratng the internal motor construction; and

FGURE 4 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention, partially breken away, illustrating particularly the distinctive internal configuration thereof.

Wth continuing reference to the drawings and initial rference to FIGURE l, numeral 1 generally represents the improved induction motor construction including a motor housing 22 supported by feet 14 and 16 apertured at and 2@ for receiving retaining bolts therethrough.

The motor 1% is provided with a drive shaft 22 adapted to be loaded which is secured to the rotor 24. The rotor 24 has the shape of a conical frustum defining a tapered surface 26. The drive s'naft 22 and rotor 26 are supported for rotation by hall bearings 28, 3%, 32 and 34. The bear ings 28 and 34 are disposed within cavities forrned in the housing strueture while the bearings 30 and 32 are received in cavities defined in a first rotating stator section support 36 for free or mechanically unloaded rotation thereof entirely within the housing or second stator section S as clearly shown in FIGURE 1. It is to be appreciated that the bearings 23 and 34 are longitudinally movable by sliding within the aforementioned cavities 38 and 4 11 respectively. A screw 42 extends through the housing 12 and a terminal ball 44 thereon is received in a socket formed in one end of the drive shaft 22. A handle 46 is provided on the screw 42 which is threaded at 48 through a boss 59 on the housing 12. By adjustment of the screw 42, the drive sl1aft 22 and rotor 26 may be movecl longitudinally of the housing 12 as the bearings 23 and 34 slide within the cavities 38 and 40. Likewise, the bearings 36 and 32 may slide in the cavities 52 and 54 so as to enable the rotor 24 to be longitudinally moved with respect to the first stator secton support 36. A second screw 56 having a handle 58 is threaded through the housing at 64) and a terminal hall 62 thereon is received within a socket secured to the first rotating stator section support 36. Therefore, by threading the screw 52 relative to the housing 12, the first stator section support 36 may be longitudinally moved relative to the housing 12 and also relative to the rotor 26.

The rotor 26 may be a conventional squrrel cage magnetic rotor formeel of laminated magnetic material having the tapered surfaces as indicated.

The first rotating stator section support 36 carries the first stator section 64 formed of laminated and slotted magnetc material and also having a tap-ered surface 66 opposed to the surface 26 of the rotor 24. The tapered surfaces 26 and 66 of course define an air gap. An alternating current distributed winding 68 is wound about the first stator seetion 64 and the terminals thereof are connected respectively to slip rings '76), 72 and 74, each representing one phase. Stationary brushes 76, 78 and 89 are provided for contacting the slip rings 70, 72 and 74 and are in turn connected to conductors 82, 84 and 86 which are adapted to be electrically connected to a three-phase supply.

A second stationary stator section is provided concentrio with the first stator section 64 and rotor 24 and is carried on the inner surface of the housing 12. The second stator section is generally designated as 83 and i11- cludes a bi-metal non-magnetic current conductor 90 which has a tapered surface as illustrated and a bi-metal magnetic flux conductor 92 which is sandwiched between the non-magnetic current conductor 90 and the housing 12. It is, of course, appreciated thatan air gap is defined between the non-magnetic poition 90 and the first stator section 62.

It is thought that the basic construction of the motor forming the embodiment of FIGURE 1 should now be understood; When a rotating field is established in the winding 68, the field established across the air gap be tween the first stator section 64and the rotor 24causes tl ie rotor to rotate at a speed less than the speed of the rotating field. Wlien tl1'e rotational speed of tlie drive shaft 22 is retarded by mechanical loads, the first stator section 64 will assumeja higher speed. The gap between the portion 90"and the first stator section 54 may be reduced by utilization of the screw 52 causing apartial shift in-themagneto motor force into the portion 90, thereby retarding the speed of the first stator section 64 causingan increase in the magrieto motor frce in the first stator section 64 and an =increase in torque of the rotor 24 and drive shaft 22 to cornpensate for the increased mec hanical load. The gap between the rotor 24 and 'fiist stator section 66may now bereduced causing a greater torque increase in the rotor 24 as the rotation of thefir st stator section 64 is turt her retarded by the flux in portion 90 actirig on the first stator section 64. The tori;ue and speed of the first stator section 64 isthereby increased along with the rotor 24 and drive shaft 22. it will be understood that by utilizing the screws 42 and 52 to reduce or increase the gaps between the first stator section and the portion 90 or the first stator section and the rotor 24, the magneto motor forse flux shifts between the e lernents indicated provide a range of variable torque and speed driveshaft 22.

FIGUR E 2 illu strates a fragmentary end view of the motor of FIGURE 1 illustratingparticularly the handles and 46 of the screws 52 and 42.

Attentie-11 is now called to FIGURE 3 whereinthe second'stator section including the portions 90 and 92 of FIGURE 1 are replaced by a second stator section 100 includng a neleetro-rnagneticlaminated stator 102 having a distributedwinding 104 wound theren. In this embodiment, tlie distributed winding 104 is electrically connected to the winding 68 on the first stator section 64 so as to provide counter-acting rotating magnetic fields or, a stator and =a rotating magnetc field. By distributing the stator windings between the first stator section 100 and the rotatng stator section 64, virtually the Same degree ofcontrol of the speed andtorque of the drive shaft 22 may be exercised. Aside from the change of the second stator section in the ernbodiment of FIGURE 3, therernaining construction is identical to that described in FIGURE 1 Attention is now drawn to the embodiment of FIGURE 4 whe rein a secondstator section 110 is provided and includ es a direct curre nt coi1trol winding 112 along with an alternatingcnrrent polyphse distributed winding 114. In the embodirnent 01FIGURE 4, the opposed srfaces a s 116 on the second stator section 110, 118 on the first stator section120, and 122 on the rotor 124, are formed parallel. Accordinglyno attempt is made in this enibodirnent to vary the gaps between the first and second stator sections and the first stator section and the rotor. The embodiment of FIGURE 4is si-rnilar in construction and operatiori to the embodiment of FIGURE 3, except for the fact that the direct current winding 112 is provided for setting up magnetic flux saturation in the magnetic portion.of the. second stator section 110. The direct current winding 112 is separately energized and by controllingthe saturation of the magnetic portion of the second stator section 110 an increase or -decrease in the flnx inten sity thereof may be controll ed so as to change ;ti1erotating actio n of the first stator section 120.

From the foregoing, it wiil be apparent that irnpr0ved means have been provided for providing improvedcontrol of torque and speed characteristics of an induction motor. Each of the embodirnents is characterized by a squirrel cage rotor and a distributed winding in an iron stator wl1ich is split in two sections, one being stationary and the other being free to rotate in air gaps between the rotor and the fixeclstator section. It has been shown that the winding distributed in the two sections of the split stator may be connected electrically through external control devices. Mechanical means rnay also be utiiized to vary the magnetic flux air gapsto change the magnetic flux,density, position and drection.inand across the iron mass of the split stator so as to increase or decrease the speed of the electromagnetic rotating section in relatin to the rotor and fixed section of the stator.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numeros modifications and Changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construetion and operation shown and descrbed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivaients maybe resorted to faliing within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An alternating current induction motor including improved means forcontrolling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in cobinatidn with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mounted there in, a first rotating stator section concentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positioned outwardly of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said second stator section including a non-magnetic current conductor portion, and a magnetic flux conductor portion, said magnetic portion bonded to said housing sandwiched between said non-magnetic portion andsaid housing.

2. An alternating currentinduction motor including improved means for controllng the" speed and torqi1e characteristics thereof cornprising in combination with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mounted therein, a first rotating stator section cncentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positioned out- Wardly of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said second stator section including a non-magnetic current conductor portion, and a magnetic flux conductor portion, said magnetio portion bonced to said housing sandwiched between said non-magnetic portion and said housing, a first air gap disposed between said non-magnetic conductor and said first statorsection, a second air gap disposed between said first stator section and said rotor, said gaps being defined by tapered opposed surfaces, and first means for longitudinally moving said first stator section whereby said first and second air gaps may be varied.

3. An alternating current induction motor including improved means for controlling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in combination with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mounted themain, a first rotating stator section concentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, saidfirst stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positinedoutwardly of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said second stator section including a non-magnetic current conductor portion, and a magnetic flux conductor portion, said magnetic portion bonded to said housing sandwiched between said non-magnetic portion and said housing, a first air gap disposed between said non-magnetic conductor and said first stator section, a second air gap disposed b etween said first stator section and said rotor,

said gaps being defined by tapered oppo-sed surfaces, and first means for longitudinaiiy moving said first stator section whereby said firs-t and second air gaps may be varied, and second means for longitudinally moving said rotor whereby said second air gaps may be vared.

4. An aiternating current induetion motor including improved means for controlling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in combination with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mouned there in, a first rotating stator section concentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positioned outwardiy of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said seeond stator section including a magnetic flux conductor bonded to said housing having a second distributed winding wound thereon, said first and second dlstributed windings being electricaily connected.

5. An aiternating current inducticn motor ineluding improved means for controiling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in combination with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mounted therein, a firs-t rotaing stator section concentricaily mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically pitioned out wardly of said flrst stator section and earried by said housng, said second stator section including a magnetic flux conductor bonded t0 said housing having a second distributed winding wound thereon said first and second distributed windings being electrically connected, a first air gap disposed between said second stator section and said first stator section, a second air gap disposed between said first stator section and said rotor, said gaps being defined by tapered opposed surfaces, and first means for longitudinally moving said first stator section whereby said first and second air gaps may be varied.

6. An aiernating current nduction motor including improved means for controlling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in combination with a housing having a rotatable magnetic rotor mounted therein, a first rotating stator section concentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positioned outwardly of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said second stator section including a magnetic flux conductor bonded to said housing having a second distributed winding wound thereon, said first and second distributcd windings being eectrically connected, a flrst air gap disposed between said second stator section and said first stator section, a second air gap disposed etwcen said first stator section and said rotor, said gaps being deflned by tapered opposed surfaces, and first means for iongitudinally moving said first s-tator section whereby said flrst and second air gaps may be varied, and second means for ongitudnally moving said rotor whereby said second air gap may be varied.

7. An alternating current induction motor inciuding improved means for controlling the speed and torque characteristics thereof comprising in combination with a housing havng a rotatabie magnetic rotor mounted themin, a first roating stator section concentrically mounted for rotation about said rotor, said first stator section having a first distributed winding wound thereon, and a second stator section concentrically positioned outwardly of said first stator section and carried by said housing, said second stator section including a rnagnetic flux con ductor bonded to said housing having a second dstributed winding wound thereon, said first and second distributed wndings being electricaily connected, and a direct current winding wound on said second stator section where- 6 by magnetic flux saturation may be set up in said sec0nd stator secton.

8. An electric motor comprising, housing means, Ioad driving armaure rotor means rotatabiy mounted by the housing means, motor field establishing means mounted in mechanically unloaded condition within the housing means to produce a magnetic fle1d rotating relative to the rotor means and means operative independently of current variations in the rotor means and field establishing means for seiectiveiy varying t'ne magnetic flux density of the rotating magnetic ficld passing through the rotor means and housing means.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the motor fie1d establishing means includes rotatabie stator means rotatab1y mounted in completey enciosed relation within the housing means for rotation relative to the rotor means and housing means, and rotating winding means mounted on the rotatable stator means for rotation therewith.

10. The combination of claim 8, including fixed winding means mounted on the hcusing means and having a portion electricaily conneeted to the field establishing means.

11. The combination of claim 8, Wherein the means for selectively varying the magnetic flux density comprises adjusting mechanism operativeiy connected to the rotor means and motor ficid establishing means for dimensicnaily varying ti1e magneic flux paths of the mag netic fieid passing through the rotor means and housing means.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the motor field establishing means includes rotatable stator means rotatably mounted in enclosed reiation within the housing means for rotation relative to the rotor means and housing means, and rotating winding means mounted on the stator means for rotaion therewith.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the means for selectively varying the magnetic flux density comprises control winding means mounted on the housing means for controlling core saturaton of the fixed winding means.

14. The combinaton of claim 9, inciuding fixed winding means mounted on the housing means and electrica11y connected to the fieid estabiishing means.

15. In a system for controlling the speed and torque characteristics of an induction motor including an arma ture rotor and a fieid establishing stator assembly hav ing a rotataole stator winding and a fixed stator winding cooperating therewith to establish a rotating fieid; means for operatively connecting said armature rotor to a load, rotor means for mounting said rotatabie stator winding in mechanically unionded condition, and means for controlling the core satnration of said fixed stator winding to vary the flux density of the field established by said field establishing stator assembiy.

16. In a system for controlling the speed and torque characteristics of an induction motor including an armature rotor and a field establishing stator assembly having 2. rotatable stator winding; means for operatively connecting said armature rotor to a load, means for rotatabiy mounting said rotatable stator winding in mechanically unloaded condition and in axialy slidble relation to the armature rotor, and flux gap control means for adjustably positioning the rotatable stator winding in axial relation to the armature rotor for controlling tne speed and orque conditions of the armature rotor.

Hild Nov. 12, 1935 Donandt May 4, 1954 

15. IN A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE SPEED AND TORQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INDUCTION MOTOR INCLUDING AN ARMATURE ROTOR AND A FIELD ESTABLISHING STATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A ROTATABLE STATOR WINDING AND A FIXED STATOR WINDING COOPERATING THEREWITH TO ESTABLISH A ROTATING FIELD; MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID ARMATURE ROTOR TO A LOAD, ROTOR MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID ROTATABLE STATOR WINDING IN MECHANICALLY UNLOADED CONDITION, AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE CORE SATURATION OF SAID FIXED STATOR WINDING TO VARY THE FLUX DENSITY OF THE FIELD ESTABLISHED BY SAID FIELD ESTABLISHING STATOR ASSEMBLY. 